Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What insect is this? > Garden Pests > Caterpillars, maggots, grubs, and similar immature insects - Under than 1/4 inch long > Apple maggot

Apple maggot

Rhagoletis pomonella

Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada

Description: Up to 1/2 inch long

Where/When: Primarily feeds on apples and large crabapples. Appears in early July and is active until September. Peak activity occurs from late July through early August.

Significance: Causes distorted fruits due to oviposition activity of the adult fly. Pulp breaks down, discolors, and starts to rot as a result of maggots tunneling through the flesh. Larvae are rarely, if ever, seen.

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